While some house hunters might relish the opportunity to knock down walls, rip up floors and tear out decaying landscaping, Warren and Derrick Clark are not among them. A fixer-upper was not on the couple's wish list when they were poring over options in the Lehigh Valley. “We didn't want huge projects,” says Warren. “We didn't want a total flip.”
It was five years ago when Warren, a Florida native, and Derrick, who hails from Texas, decided to uproot their lives in the Lone Star State and make tracks for Pennsylvania. They discovered the “little town of Bethlehem” at an opportune time. “We visited the weekend before Christmas,” Derrick recalls. Anyone familiar with the area can tell you, it's not called the Christmas City for nothing; the couple found the city and its explosion of holiday charm more than a little endearing. “We fell in love with the area,” says Warren.
But, as many a discouraged house hunter has discovered over the years, the road from first look to move-in day can be long and plagued by unforeseen detours. “Stuff was going quickly,” says Warren. “We missed out on some houses. But that ended up being a blessing.” And that's because the stately brick twin home that would become their new address for their new life in the Lehigh Valley was waiting for them on Montrose Avenue. The Clarks say they immediately found the neighborhood appealing—quiet and welcoming. Later, they'd delight in its proximity to the historic downtown, as well as to cherished dessert purveyors like The Cup and Vegan Treats. “That's both a blessing and a curse,” says Derrick with a smile.
As for the house itself, just as the couple had hoped, the sweat equity they would need to invest in transforming the circa 1927, 1,800-square-foot dwelling into their personal home sweet home would be minimal. A fire at the house in the 1950s—long before the Clarks signed their names to the deed—forced a re-do of the interior. After that, the Clarks say, the property was kept in tip-top shape. “We haven't done much other than some painting,” says Warren.
So, instead, of calling contractors and hunting down construction permits, the Clarks could focus on their forte: the décor. But, says Warren, “When we went to furnish the house, there were not a lot of places to shop locally.” “We saw a need,” adds Derrick. And that need just happened to align perfectly with plans for a career change that had been percolating for some time.
A shared dream of opening a home goods and furniture store was one of the driving reasons behind the Clarks seeking out a fresh start in Bethlehem. “We saw this as the right market for that,” says Warren. Domaci opened as an online store in the winter of 2015. A brick-and-mortar location on Main Street followed in the spring of 2016. Domaci moved to its current home on Bethlehem's southside in January.
In many ways, the Clark's home is an extension of their store—a place where old world meets new world, with eclectic and unexpected twists. The couple says, in the early days of their relationship, they were fortunate to find that their decorating styles were very much in sync. “We've already gotten each other the same Christmas present,” Warren says. They seek out items to buy whenever they travel, especially antiques. “It's a great way to remember a trip, rather than a T-shirt,” Warren says. They're keen to hit up local haunts, too, like Salvage Goods in Easton, or Lambertville, New Jersey's Golden Nugget Antique Flea Market.
Whatever gems they find are added to a cherished collection that was born many years ago, long before Warren and Derrick officially said “I Do” in 2012. “I lived abroad after college and had a few pieces,” explains Warren. “Derrick had a few pieces. It's grown from that.” And the home on Montrose Avenue has provided them with the perfect blank canvas on which to exercise their interior design mastery.
Past the home's generous front porch (featuring a set of rocking chairs that would pair nicely with a cool pitcher of lemonade on a sultry evening), and just beyond the front door, is the room that both men identify as their favorite. It's a cross between a sitting room and a den, with a lived-in, cozy leather sofa offering plenty of lounging space for both them and for Dingo, the couple's Australian shepherd/cattle dog mix.
Take a quick tour of the room, and one item immediately catches the eye: a vintage record player in the front window, complete with a flared horn that recalls the days of Nipper and his trusty Victrola. A stack of vinyl is stashed nearby, begging for a spin on the turntable. Across from a wide brick fireplace topped by a mantle lovingly cluttered with old family photographs and other curios (nutcracker figurines claim domain over the territory at Christmastime) is a gallery of portraits. It's a collection of sketches, etchings, pictures and paintings of all shapes and sizes, some dating back decades. Even though the compilation nearly covers the entire wall, the Clarks say there's always room for more. “It's a work in progress,” Derrick says; they're always on the lookout for new additions. Learning the story behind each piece only adds to the enjoyment of the process; Warren says he was pleasantly surprised to find that one sketch he picked up at an auction in Bangor is worth much more than he paid for it.
The gallery concept is one that resonates throughout the home. “We love little collections,” explains Warren. “Things have more of an impact in groups.” In fact, a quick glance to the left of the portrait wall reveals another collection—this time, an assortment of sculpture busts perched high on a shelf. A series of landscapes adorns a wall in a guest bedroom. The upstairs hallway features a collage of European cityscapes (“Heavy on Paris,” Derrick points out).
But one thing you won't find in the entry room is a TV, and that's no accident. The space is meant to inspire relaxation (Warren says it's not unusual to find Derrick there cozied up with a good book) or conversation—not detachment or distraction. Instead, all channel surfing is done underground in the finished basement, which serves as a secondary living space for both the Clarks and their guests. “We love to entertain,” says Derrick. “During the holidays, it's our thing.” It's another example of common household accoutrements (sofa, minibar, pub table) coupled with unanticipated flourishes. For example, one entire wall is covered with individual pieces of sheet music. The ceiling is open, with the previous owner opting for exposed wooden beams over drywall. “The real estate agent was apologizing, saying ‘you can cover this up,'” Warren recalls of one of their early walk-throughs. “We said, ‘We love it.'”
And, perhaps as homage to the classic record player upstairs, a 1930s-era radio greets guests as they make their way down the steps. But, unlike its musical cousin a floor above, the radio doesn't work; getting it fixed is on the couple's relatively short to-do list. Many of the improvements they're eyeing for the future are cosmetic, although a kitchen remodel isn't out of the question. Derrick says they're considering installing new cabinets, countertops and a fridge, while also possibly adding subway tile.
Central air conditioning is also on the wish list. So is another full bathroom (currently the home has one and a half). New doors are planned for a walk-in closet they installed in the master bedroom. But even without those improvements, the Clarks are perfectly content inside the walls they've made their own, just as they are. “It's a place you feel good about coming home to,” Derrick says.